President Donald Trump delivered a blistering rebuke of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday night, escalating tensions between the White House and the Vatican following the pontiff’s recent criticism of the Iran war and broader U.S. policy.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump sharply criticized the pope’s views on foreign policy, crime and nuclear weapons, accusing him of being “WEAK” and out of step with American priorities. The president made clear he has grown increasingly frustrated with the pope’s public commentary, particularly as it relates to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump wrote, defending his record while pointing to what he described as record-low crime and a historic stock market. He also suggested that Pope Leo’s elevation to the papacy was unexpected and tied it, at least in part, to his own presidency.
Trump went further, asserting that the Chicago-born pope had not been a leading contender prior to his selection and claiming the Church saw his American background as advantageous. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, underscoring the deeply personal tone of the exchange.
The president also drew attention to the pope’s family, praising his brother, Louis Prevost, as “all MAGA,” echoing similar remarks he made previously. The comparison highlighted Trump’s broader frustration with what he sees as political differences between himself and the pontiff.
At the heart of the dispute is a fundamental disagreement over the Iran conflict and the role of U.S. power abroad. Trump criticized the pope for what he characterized as softness on Iran and opposition to American military actions, including operations targeting Venezuela. He argued that such positions fail to account for threats posed to the United States, including crime and drug activity.
The president also referenced tensions dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing the pope of overlooking restrictions that affected religious institutions, including limits on church services.
Trump closed his message by urging Pope Leo to “use Common Sense” and “stop catering to the Radical Left,” warning that the pope’s approach risks harming both his leadership and the Catholic Church more broadly.
The remarks came in direct response to statements made by Pope Leo in recent days. The pontiff condemned Trump’s threat to destroy a “whole civilization” in Iran if its leaders refused to strike a deal, calling such rhetoric “truly unacceptable.” Days later, he reiterated his opposition to the war, stating that “God does not bless any conflict,” a line that reflects a broader moral critique of warfare itself.
The pope has also previously criticized the Trump administration’s treatment of illegal immigrants, describing it as “extremely disrespectful,” further widening the divide between the two figures.
Speaking to reporters near Air Force One shortly after his social media post, Trump doubled down on his criticism. He reiterated his opposition to any suggestion that Iran should be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and expressed personal dissatisfaction with the pope’s leadership.
“I am not a big fan of Pope Leo,” Trump said, describing him as “a very liberal person” who, in his view, does not prioritize stopping crime.
The clash highlights a growing tension between political leadership and religious authority at a time when questions of war, morality and national security remain front and center. While both men frame their positions as rooted in principle, the sharp rhetoric underscores how deeply divided those perspectives have become—particularly when the costs and consequences of conflict continue to loom large.
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